The Israeli Type H plug is one of the more visually distinctive plug designs in the world. Three flat pins in a Y pattern, used exclusively in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Modern Type H sockets also accept Europlugs, which makes Israel easier for European travelers than the plug shape would suggest.
This guide covers the design, the history, and what Type H means for travelers. For practical advice on adapters for an Israel trip, see our Israel travel adapter guide.
What Type H is
The Type H plug, defined by Israeli standard SI 32, has:
- Two flat live and neutral pins at the top, angled slightly to form a V shape
- One flat earth pin at the bottom centre, longer than the others
- All three pins are flat with rounded corners (not round, despite the angled arrangement)
- The plug body is roughly triangular to match the pin layout
The socket has matching slots in the Y pattern. Modern Israeli sockets (SI 32 revision from 1989) include additional round slot positions so the same socket accepts both Type H plugs and Europlugs.
The 1950s origin
Israel formalized its plug standard in 1957, choosing Type H over the alternatives (British Type G, German Schuko, American Type B) that were dominant at the time. The choice was driven by:
- Preference for a uniquely Israeli standard that could be manufactured domestically
- The flat-pin design simplified manufacturing compared to round-pin designs
- The Y-shaped layout was distinctive enough to prevent accidental cross-fitting with other plugs
- The earth pin position naturally polarized the plug
Israel adopted the standard nationally and Type H became the consumer mains plug for the country. The 1989 revision (which added Europlug compatibility) didn't change the basic Type H design, just expanded the socket to accept additional plug types.
What makes Type H distinctive
Flat pins in a Y pattern
Most three-pin plugs use either flat pins in a triangle (Type B), round pins in a triangle (Type D, Type M), or flat pins in a vertical V (Type I). The Type H combination of flat pins in a Y is unusual and instantly recognizable.
Modern Europlug compatibility
Since 1989, Israeli sockets have been designed to accept both Type H pins and Type C Europlug round pins through clever slot geometry. The socket has cross-shaped openings: the flat slots accept Type H pins, while round slot positions in the same socket accept Europlug round pins.
This is similar to the hybrid sockets used in modern Italian and Brazilian construction but applied differently. The result: a phone charger with a Europlug bought in Germany works in Tel Aviv without an adapter.
The 1957 original vs 1989 revision
Older Israeli buildings (pre-1989 construction) may still have original Type H sockets that don't accept Europlugs. This is increasingly rare as buildings are renovated, but pure Type H sockets exist in:
- Older residential buildings in Jerusalem's old neighborhoods
- Some Kibbutz accommodations from the 1960s-70s
- A few historic hotels that have kept original wiring
- Some older commercial buildings
In most modern accommodations (hotels, Airbnbs, newer apartments), the hybrid socket is standard.
Where Type H is used
Type H is used in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Nowhere else uses it as a consumer mains standard. The design's narrow geographic origin and the dominance of Schuko in adjacent Middle Eastern countries (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey) prevented broader adoption.
A traveler visiting Israel needs a Type H or Europlug-equipped device to work in Israeli sockets. A traveler from Israel visiting other countries needs an adapter for almost any destination.
Type H vs other plug types
| Feature | Type H | Schuko (F) | Type G (UK) | Type B (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin count | 3 | 2 + 2 clips | 3 | 3 |
| Pin shape | Flat | Round | Rectangular | Flat |
| Pin layout | Y pattern | Two parallel | Triangle | Triangle |
| Earth | Bottom pin (long) | Side clips | Top pin (long) | Bottom round pin |
| Built-in fuse | No | No | Yes | No |
| Socket fits Europlug | Modern yes | Yes | No | No |
Type H is comparable to Type B in basic structure (three pins, no fuse, polarized) but with the Y-pattern instead of triangular and flat pins instead of round.
Israel's voltage and frequency
Israel runs at 230 V at 50 Hz, harmonized with European standards. The grid is operated by the Israel Electric Corporation. Voltage is stable in major cities.
For US and Canadian travelers, this is roughly double home mains. The dual-voltage check matters.
For UK, EU, Australian, and most Asian travelers, voltage matches.
Practical implications for travelers
If you're traveling to Israel:
- A Type H-capable adapter is required for grounded high-draw devices
- A Europlug-equipped device works in modern Israeli sockets directly (no adapter needed)
- Look for "Israel" or "Type H" in universal adapter spec sheets
- Older accommodations may not have hybrid sockets; pack the Type H adapter as a safety net
If you're an Israeli traveling abroad:
- A Type H plug doesn't fit anywhere except Israel
- You need a different adapter for every other country
- A universal adapter that converts Type H to other standards is the right purchase before traveling
The bottom line
The Israeli Type H plug is a uniquely national standard with no adoption elsewhere. The Y-pattern of flat pins is visually distinctive and electrically incompatible with most other plug types.
The 1989 socket revision made Israeli sockets accept Europlugs, which significantly eases travel for European visitors. For US and other non-European travelers, a Type H-capable adapter is still required.
Voltage is 230 V across the country with stable grid supply. The plug shape is the only complication.